The Chilean Blueberry Committee projects global export volumes of 117,000 metric tons in 2021-22, similar to the total exported the previous season, according to Karen Brux, managing director of the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association.
The season was underway in November, with 196,000 boxes (563 tons) shipped season-to-date (through early November) to the U.S.
“We’ll be promoting (blueberries) from December through February,” Brux said.
Varietal replacement is ongoing in Chile, Brux said, with new varieties now accounting for 25% of total volume.
Organic blueberries also are growing in volume. Eighteen percent of total blueberry exports this season are expected to be organic, Brux said. “The US receives a greater allocation of organic, so organic volume shipped to this market could reach 28% of the total,” she said.
Challenges
The biggest challenges to this season in Chile are the availability of manpower and port logistics, she said.
The lack of labor is expected to reduce the fresh harvest by 7% of the potential production, a fact that has already been factored into the 117,000 metric ton estimate.
In addition, Brux said the impact of logistical difficulties is very difficult to estimate and currently exporters are working intensively on scheduling shipments with shipping companies to minimize this problem that is affecting global trade. The congestion at U.S. ports also is a worry.
“None of these problems are new, so the exporters and importers are continuing to work through them and take whatever steps possible to deliver the freshest, best tasting blueberries to shoppers,” she said.
Retail promotions
Brux said the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association is excited to be returning to in-store promotions this season and will highlight Chilean blueberries through in-store sampling.
“While we will kick off our promotions in late December and continue into early March, we will run numerous in-store and online promotions during February for everything from Valentine’s Day to Heart Health Month to National Pancake Day,” Brux said.
Chilean Blueberries are heart-check certified, and Brux said the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association will be promoting that attribute “whenever and wherever possible.”
